Toxic fertilizers in Bangladesh threaten food safety and public health

A recent agricultural seminar highlighted serious concerns over the quality of chemical fertilizers in Bangladesh. Experts warned that unsafe levels of heavy metals and inconsistent nutrient content in products like urea and TSP pose risks to public health. The event, attended by leading academics, called for urgent reforms in farming practices and fertilizer regulation.

The programme, led by Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) vice-chancellor Professor Md Alimul Islam, featured a keynote paper by Bangladesh Agricultural University's Professor Mohammad Shahjahan Manjil. His research revealed that urea and TSP fertilizers often fail to meet required nitrogen and phosphorus standards during production. Additionally, these chemicals contain toxic heavy metals—lead, chromium, and cadmium—which accumulate in crops and enter the food chain.

Discussants stressed the need to balance food security with safe production methods. They proposed stricter oversight from farming to marketing, ensuring transparency and preventing adulteration. The annual use of 5 million tonnes of chemical fertilizers in Bangladesh was flagged as a major concern, though data on organic alternatives remains unavailable.

To mitigate health risks, experts recommended cutting chemical fertilizer and pesticide use. Instead, they advocated for eco-friendly solutions like organic fertilizers, integrated pest management, and pheromone traps. These measures aim to reduce contamination while maintaining crop yields.

The seminar concluded with calls for immediate action to reform fertilizer production and farming techniques. Adopting safer, sustainable practices could lower health risks linked to chemical residues in food. Authorities and farmers are now urged to prioritise transparency and modern management across the agricultural sector.